Picture perfect: The coastline along the eastern ghats

Coastal trekking along the coastline of India can be as adventurous and challenging as mountain hiking. Since the season begins in just a couple of weeks and continues till January, what better time to pack your rucksack and set out? Here are the best beach hiking spots on the east and west coasts. Check them out:

Malpe trek on the west coast

It takes about 11 days to walk the 300 km stretch of the Malpe coastline in Karnataka, between Udipi and Goa. Dotted with volcanic islands — some barren and some with dense forests and rocky edges — this stretch is considered to be one of the most beautiful coastlines of India. The rocky slopes, thick forests and creeks that you need to cross at times on boats are good fun. The trek starts from the Coconut Island of Udipi, which can be reached from Mangalore by bus. The sandy beach is ideal for walking fast without causing yourself much strain. The entire stretch makes for a picturesque sight with flocks of seagulls to keep you company. The spots where you can take a break are Gangoli (a crowded fishing harbour), Kirimanjeshwar (a point where the sea is quite rocky and full of quicksand patches) or the village of Teginguddi lined with rows of casuarina and famous for its Parameshwar Durga temple. The village of Manki Madi dotted with forested cliffs is an important landmark with its ancient church and a 16th century temple. Major attractions on this trek route are the tribal villages along the way to the pilgrimage town of Mahabaleshwar. The route ends at Majoli, the last village on the Karnataka-Goa border.

Goa and Ratnagiri trek on the west coast

Goa is a contrast to the virgin beauty of the Karnataka coast. Here, a trekker comes across hordes of foreign tourists and affluent Goan villagers who lead a mix of Konkanese and Portuguese colonial life. The trek route starts at Pololem, an old tourist resort which is the first coastal town after one enters Goa from Karnataka. The route stretches from the Agonda beach and leads to Debgarh, Ratnagiri, Jaygarh and Subarnadurg of Maharashtra.

Konark to Satapada trek on the east coast

This is a 65-km stretch, which starts from the famous temple town of Konark. This route has dynamically varied terrains — sand dunes, estuaries, swamps. The casuarina groves rejuvenate you and the teeming wildlife in the countryside surrounding the coastal belt make for a special experience. Black bucks, Olive Ridley turtles and dolphins in the channels are the usual favourites. Important night halt spots are Baleshwar, Puri, Baliharchandi and Satapada. A seven-day trek, another trek route extends in the same region from Konarak to Paradip and Chandbali to Chandipur.

Chennai-Mahabalipuram trek on the east coast

This is one of the best trek routes along the shores of the Bay of Bengal, stretching for about 60 km. At an average speed of 20-25 km a day, it takes around three days to cover the distance. A fascinating route, one rarely comes across such desolate, virgin beaches on popular coastal trek routes. In addition, a blend of the ancient and modern makes for a fine visual.

The journey starts from the famous Marina Beach of Chennai. Crowded fishing harbours with trawlers and fishing boats in the midst of the vast Bay of Bengal is a spectacular sight along the route. The sea, however, becomes rocky near Mamallapuram. At times one has to leave the beach and walk down the famous beach road that is almost like a marine drive. VGP Golden Beach along with its Safari Park and various water sports is the latest attraction along this coastline. The beach is clean and boasts of man-made architecture that almost looks like an old fort city. The trek ends about one hour from the Mamallapuram coast at a fisherman’s cove known as Saluvam Kappan. So why wait? Start planning right away.